PNG Prime Minister O’Neill Highlights Business and Jobs from French Investment

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. Peter O'Neill CMG MP, has expressed ongoing confidence in the nation's growing relationship with France that is stimulating investment, business and jobs.

PM O'Neill made the comments while attending a reception for the France National Day on Tuesday.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of France to Papua Ne

w Guinea, H.E. Pascal Maubert, and Pacific Games competitors from Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia and Tahiti.

Prime Minister O'Neill said the relationship between France and Papua New Guinea has never been better and stronger than it is today.

"More French businesses and more French people are living in Papua New Guinea than ever before," the Prime Minister said.

"This is likely to increase with the new LNG project."

"We welcome the national friendships and the business links between our two countries and our people.

"We also welcome the technical knowledge and capacity building that France offers to Papua New Guinea, to its people and businesses."

PM O'Neill said the PNG LNG Project and the Total LNG project, are playing a very important part in transforming Papua New Guinea's economy.

"The Papua LNG project will create an additional 10,000 new jobs for Papua New Guineas.

"We see this as a major expression of confidence by France and its businesses in Papua New Guinea and its economy, and we look forward to developing these opportunities together."

PM O'Neill highlighted outcomes of his recent visit to Paris where he met 30 businesses representing 60% of France's GDP, who expressed strong confidence and their desire to do business in Papua New Guinea.

"We welcome these companies that interest that they have expressed interests."

To further business engagement, the Prime Minister said Papua New Guinea is working with the French Government to open an Embassy in Paris.

He said Papua New Guinea will also continue to work closely with France on areas such climate change, which is a significant challenge for Pacific Island Nations.

As part of this policy engagement, Papua New Guinea has accepted the invitation from the French Government to chair one of the meetings taking place during the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21).

"We look forward to working closely with France at the COP21 meeting, in Paris in December."